The Cranial Structure of Chinese Liassic Mammals and Tritylodontids

从爬行动物到哺乳动物的进化转变 在三叠纪时期的地方，和更高的脊椎动物化石 这个年龄段的人都在认真研究。 A.W.博士克朗普顿有 研究三叠纪早期化石的前所未有的机会 中华人民共和国哺乳动物和类哺乳爬行动物 中国 这些标本将被借给哈佛大学 在那里，头骨的紧密间隔部分将被切割， 记录在基于计算机的图像分析系统上。 的 各部分将由计算机集成为三个- 三维重建，揭示新的形态特征 头骨内部的结构 本研究期间收集的数据将直接 对几个相互竞争的假说的影响， 哺乳动物起源于爬行动物。 进化 生物学家、脊椎动物解剖学家和古生物学家会发现 这项研究的结果很有趣。 该项目还将 改善美国之间的科学合作和交流 和中国

The evolutionary transition from reptiles to mammals took place during the Triassic Period, and higher vertebrate fossils of this age are studied intensively. Dr. A.W. Crompton has the unprecedented opportunity to study Triassic fossils of early mammals and mammal-like reptiles from the People's Republic of China. The specimens will be taken on loan to Harvard University where closely-spaced sections through the skulls will be cut and recorded on a computer-based image analysis system. The sections will be integrated by the computer into a three- dimensional reconstruction, revealing new morphological features of the cranial interiors. The data to be gathered during this study will have direct impact on the several competing hypotheses that seek to explain the origin (or origins) of mammals from reptiles. Evolutionary biologist, vertebrate anatomists, and paleontologists will find the results of this study of interest. The project will also improve scientific collaboration and exchange between the U.S. and China.